Offer Nesting Materials To Attract Birds

You'll find that the nesting materials that birds use to build
their nest is as varied as the birds that use them. The information here is what
types of things birds use in the wild to build their homes.

By providing things for birds to use when building their
nest, you just may be rewarded with a pair that otherwise would have gone and
built their home elsewhere.

Most common backyard birds choose dried grasses in their nest
construction. When mowing lawns, allow the cut grass to lay on the ground for
the birds to pick up and use in their nest.

If your lawn is treated with weed and feed chemicals, you
should bag the clippings for disposal.

Leaving untreated grass clippings is good for the birds and
your lawn. If you are concerned about unsightly grass laying on the lawn you may
need to mow more often or lightly spread it in an area that's out of sight to
your neighbors.

Still, the adage, mow it tall and let it fall is the best
advice for the birds and your lawn.

Birds generally line the inside of their nest with a soft
lining of some sort. The best you can offer that will provide what they need is
your pets fur.

When brushing or combing your pets coat try placing the fur
on the tops of shrubs for birds to pick up and use in nest building.

Other nesting materials you might consider placing out for birds
are: strips of yarn or cloth cut to about 6 inches, a pile of small sticks, or
you may choose one of the commercially available packages.

One other thing you can provide in order to help the birds
build their nest is to provide mud. Many birds use mud in constructing their
nest. You can provide this resource by placing a garbage can lid upside down and
filling it with dirt and water.

Make sure you check on it from time to time during the
nesting season making sure it doesn't dry out.

Offering materials that birds use to build nest is just one
more way for you to attract more bird activity to your backyard.

One of the enjoyable aspects of backyard birdwatching is
that it can be done year around.

This spring, try offering things for the birds to build
their homes with. You might find more making their home in your yard.